It must be one of the best-attended Comic Cons for a first-time event: More than 25,000 fans of print and film superheroes and celebrities attended this weekend’s Wizard World Des Moines comic book and pop culture convention at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. And the show’s management believes the attendance assures Wizard World will return to Des Moines next summer, establishing the next major annual Midwest comic book fan convention.

Fans from Iowa and neighboring states toured the halls and giant celebrity autograph and photo op room, many in cosplay garb. The highlights include a premiere slate of comic book creators in Artists Alley and celebrity appearances that gave everyone something to be excited about.

Star Trek fans barely had to wait in line to meet sci-fi icon William Shatner, who also spoke to a crowded house of fans Saturday afternoon. If you like superheroes, you could meet the two most popular Green Arrow creators of all time: artist Neal Adams and writer/artist Mike Grell, Superman actors Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Dean Cain (The Adventures of Lois and Clark) (Routh also appears as The Atom on CW’s The Flash),DC Bombshells creator Ant Lucia, Rogue creator and long-time Marvel artist Michael Golden (above), and Mike Zeck, artist for Marvel Comics classics like the Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars series:

The Walking Dead fans met series star Michael Cudlitz, and received an exclusive variant Issue #1 from the comic book series, drawn by Iowa artist Phil Hester. And horror fans got to cross off their list one of the modern Big 3 of horror icons, Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddy Krueger himself Robert Englund. Fans of the cult film Boondock Saints met up with star Sean Patrick Flannery.

The biggest pop culture and comic book convention ever in the region begins today. It’s the third annual Planet Comicon to be held in its new venue–the Kansas City Convention Center at Bartle Hall. This year is even bigger than last year’s show, with more vendor space and more creators in Artists Alley. Set-up began yesterday morning and continued until late last night.

We discussed some of the media guests previously here at borg.com. You can get a current line-up at the Con’s website here.

Don’t know where to begin? Start here, with this short list creators and attractions to check out:

In addition to what you might expect from a large comic book convention, from comic book creators to celebrities to vendors and panels, this weekend’s Planet Comicon 2014 has several fantasy-themed attractions to help you get your fantasy fix.

Amanda Lynn Chainmaille Creations is returning for their second year at Planet Comicon. From their booth #1313, Amanda and Mike O’Leary will be selling original handcrafted chain mail and scale mail ensembles inspired by everything from comic books to fairies. You can also get superhero themed items, as well as jewelry for all types of cosplay, including some great steampunk pieces. They will also be taking commissions for custom work. Stop by and check out Amanda and Michael’s awesome creations. And I will be modeling one of their creations on Friday, and Elizabeth C. Bunce will be modeling something on Saturday. You’ll just have to show up both days to see.

Wildman Norse Drinking Horns is appearing for their first time as a vendor at Planet Comicon. Stop by and ask Randy about his drinking horns, great for Viking and medieval cosplay, and just for all-out drinking grog. Randy makes leather belt holders, too, and the horns are available in different sizes. Elizabeth and I can be seen each year at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival sporting Randy’s drinking horns. They are a great addition to your medieval ensemble. Also check out his great Viking themed T-shirts, for sale at his vendor booth #1416!

And you can see our own author in residence at borg.com, Elizabeth C. Bunce, at Artists Alley booth #1143. She will be selling and signing copies of her award-winning fantasy novels A Curse Dark as Gold, StarCrossed, and Liar’s Moon. borg.com is again sharing a booth with Elizabeth this year. Stop by and say “hi!”